A school board hearing to determine the fate of a suspended Russellville coach has been moved to 5 p.m. today, up two hours from the previously-scheduled 3 p.m. meeting.

The school board is scheduled to consider an appeal to the firing of Russellville High School cross country coach Jerry Thompson — a meeting Thompson’s lawyer said was requested to be open to the public.

The Russellville School Board announced the time-change early Tuesday afternoon and said the purpose of the meeting is to consider a personnel matter, but did not release other details.

Little Rock-based attorney Greg Alagood said in an interview last week that Thompson, who served with the school district for over 30 years before receiving a recommendation to terminate his contract this fall, made the request to make the hearing with the school board open to the public.

Alagood said because Thompson declined to terminate his contract, he has since been suspended with pay until the school board hearing to consider his appeal. Alagood said Thompson received the recommendation in late September.

A Facebook page entitled “Thanks Coach Jerry Thompson,” which was created around the time of the coach’s recommended termination, had collected over 900 “likes” by Tuesday and was filled with comments from supporters, over 70 of whom who expressed plans to attend the hearing Wednesday.

Alagood declined to comment on allegations made leading to Thompson’s recommended termination. School officials also declined comment, stating they’re not allowed to discuss personnel matters.